Lamar County, Georgia

Lamar County
County
Lamar County courthouse in Barnesville
Lamar County courthouse in Barnesville
Map of Georgia highlighting Lamar County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°04′N 84°08′W
Country United States
State Georgia
Founded 1920
Named for Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar II
Seat Barnesville
Largest city Barnesville
Area
 • Total 186 sq mi (480 km2)
 • Land 184 sq mi (480 km2)
 • Water 2.3 sq mi (6 km2)  1.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 18,500
 • Density 101/sq mi (39/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 3rd
Website www.lamarcountyga.com

Lamar County is a county located in the west central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,500. The county seat is Barnesville.

History

The Georgia General Assembly proposed the constitutional amendment to create the county on August 17, 1920, and the citizens of the state voted in favor of the amendment on November 2, 1920. Land from Pike County and Monroe County was then transferred to create Lamar County. Lamar County was named after Confederate Democrat white supremacist Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar II.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 186 square miles (480 km2), of which 184 square miles (480 km2) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) (1.3%) is water. It is located in the Piedmont region of the state.

The western third of Lamar County, west of a line from Orchard Hill through Milner and Barnesville, is located in the Upper Flint River sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin). The eastern majority of the county is located in the Upper Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. Note %±
1930 9,745 —
1940 10,091 3.6%
1950 10,242 1.5%
1960 10,240 0.0%
1970 10,688 4.4%
1980 12,215 14.3%
1990 13,038 6.7%
2000 15,912 22.0%
2010 18,317 15.1%
2020 18,500 1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,912 people, 5,712 households, and 4,284 families living in the county. The population density was 86 inhabitants per square mile (33/km2). There were 6,145 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 67.78% White, 30.39% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 1.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,712 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% were married couples living together, 16.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.00% were non-families. 21.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 11.40% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,087, and the median income for a family was $43,481. Males had a median income of $29,453 versus $21,933 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,666. About 8.10% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.50% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 18,317 people, 6,618 households, and 4,617 families living in the county. The population density was 99.8 inhabitants per square mile (38.5/km2). There were 7,474 housing units at an average density of 40.7 per square mile (15.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 66.0% white, 30.8% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.0% were American, 11.8% were English, 8.8% were Irish, and 6.0% were German.

Of the 6,618 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.2% were non-families, and 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 37.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,536 and the median income for a family was $42,218. Males had a median income of $37,535 versus $30,123 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,725. About 19.4% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.9% of those under age 18 and 17.4% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census

Lamar County racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 12,344 66.72%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 4,888 26.42%
Native American 13 0.07%
Asian 102 0.55%
Pacific Islander 4 0.02%
Other/Mixed 674 3.64%
Hispanic or Latino 475 2.57%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 18,500 people, 6,494 households, and 3,746 families residing in the county.

Communities

Politics

United States presidential election results for Lamar County, Georgia
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 6,331 69.99% 2,620 28.97% 94 1.04%
2016 5,190 67.87% 2,270 29.68% 187 2.45%
2012 4,899 64.36% 2,602 34.18% 111 1.46%
2008 4,873 63.24% 2,752 35.72% 80 1.04%
2004 4,027 61.96% 2,432 37.42% 40 0.62%
2000 2,912 55.68% 2,194 41.95% 124 2.37%
1996 1,988 43.75% 2,125 46.76% 431 9.49%
1992 1,707 38.71% 2,065 46.83% 638 14.47%
1988 2,035 57.83% 1,416 40.24% 68 1.93%
1984 2,198 57.80% 1,605 42.20% 0 0.00%
1980 1,298 33.91% 2,453 64.08% 77 2.01%
1976 847 23.32% 2,785 76.68% 0 0.00%
1972 1,844 73.47% 666 26.53% 0 0.00%
1968 575 20.50% 790 28.16% 1,440 51.34%
1964 1,570 50.30% 1,548 49.60% 3 0.10%
1960 479 26.00% 1,363 74.00% 0 0.00%
1956 555 26.61% 1,531 73.39% 0 0.00%
1952 429 21.66% 1,552 78.34% 0 0.00%
1948 164 12.92% 909 71.63% 196 15.45%
1944 143 12.35% 1,015 87.65% 0 0.00%
1940 85 8.86% 869 90.62% 5 0.52%
1936 69 7.59% 839 92.30% 1 0.11%
1932 33 4.38% 714 94.69% 7 0.93%
1928 126 15.79% 672 84.21% 0 0.00%
1924 38 5.72% 594 89.46% 32 4.82%

See also